Communication devices with integrated gyrators and methods for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A device includes an on-chip gyrating circuit that generates a motion parameter based on motion of the device. An RF transceiver generates an outbound RF signal from an outbound symbol stream, transmits the outbound RF signal to a remote station of a wireless network, and generates an inbound symbol stream from an inbound RF signal received from the at least one remote station. A processing module processes the motion parameter to produce motion data, converts outbound data into the outbound symbol stream, converts the inbound symbol stream into inbound data, compares current motion data to past motion data, detects when a difference between the current motion data and the past motion data compares unfavorably to a motion change threshold, and include the motion data in the outbound data when the difference between the current motion data and the past motion data compares unfavorably to the motion change threshold.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 as acontinuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 12/624,303, entitled,“COMMUNICATION DEVICES WITH INTEGRATED GYRATORS AND METHODS FOR USETHEREWITH,” (Attorney Docket No. No BP6213C1), filed on Nov. 23, 2009,pending, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, as acontinuation to U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/731,257, issued asU.S. Pat. No. 7,647,071, entitled “COMMUNICATION DEVICES WITH INTEGRATEDGYRATORS AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH,” (Attorney Docket No BP6213),filed Mar. 29, 2007;

All of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety andmade part of the present U.S. Utility patent application for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to mobile communication devices andmore particularly to a circuit for managing power in a combined voice,data and RF integrated circuit.

2. Description of Related Art

Wireless communication systems are known to support wirelesscommunications between wireless communication devices affiliated withthe system. Such wireless communication systems range from nationaland/or international cellular telephone systems to point-to-pointin-home wireless networks. Each type of wireless communication system isconstructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or morestandards. Such wireless communication standards include, but are notlimited to IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services(AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM),code division multiple access (CDMA), wireless application protocols(WAP), local multi-point distribution services (LMDS), multi-channelmulti-point distribution systems (MMDS), and/or variations thereof.

An IEEE 802.11 compliant wireless communication system includes aplurality of client devices (e.g., laptops, personal computers, personaldigital assistants, etc., coupled to a station) that communicate over awireless link with one or more access points. As is also generallyunderstood in the art, many wireless communications systems employ acarrier-sense multiple access (CSMA) protocol that allows multiplecommunication devices to share the same radio spectrum. Before awireless communication device transmits, it “listens” to the wirelesslink to determine if the spectrum is in use by another station to avoida potential data collision. The transmitting device (e.g., a clientdevice or access point) transmits at a fixed power level regardless ofthe distance between the transmitting device and a targeted device(e.g., station or access point). Typically, the closer the transmittingdevice is to the targeted device, the less error there will be in thereception of the transmitted signal.

When one or more of these communication devices is mobile, its transmitand receive characteristics can change with the motion of the device, asit moves closer or farther from a device it is communication with, andas the transmission environment changes due to the devices position withrespect to reflecting members, interfering stations, noise sources, etc.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artthrough comparison of such systems with the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network 111 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integratedcircuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of RF transceiver125 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a pictorial representation of communication device 10 or 30used in conjunction with a game console in accordance an embodiment ofwith the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a pictorial representation of game device 355 used inconjunction with a game console in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance an embodiment with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are pictorial representations of sporting goods inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a pictorial representation of sporting good used inconjunction with an inductive charger in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a pictorial representation of the display of a trajectory 372generated using a sporting good in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance an embodiment with the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention. In particular acommunication system is shown that includes a communication device 10that communicates real-time data 24 and non-real-time data 26 wirelesslywith one or more other devices such as base station 18, non-real-timedevice 20, real-time device 22, and non-real-time and/or real-timedevice 24. In addition, communication device 10 can also optionallycommunicate over a wireline connection with non-real-time device 12,real-time device 14 and non-real-time and/or real-time device 16.

In an embodiment of the present invention the wireline connection 28 canbe a wired connection that operates in accordance with one or morestandard protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB), Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 488, IEEE 1394 (Firewire),Ethernet, small computer system interface (SCSI), serial or paralleladvanced technology attachment (SATA or PATA), or other wiredcommunication protocol, either standard or proprietary. The wirelessconnection can communicate in accordance with a wireless networkprotocol such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WIMAX, orother wireless network protocol, a wireless telephony data/voiceprotocol such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution(EDGE), Personal Communication Services (PCS), or other mobile wirelessprotocol or other wireless communication protocol, either standard orproprietary. Further, the wireless communication path can includeseparate transmit and receive paths that use separate carrierfrequencies and/or separate frequency channels. Alternatively, a singlefrequency or frequency channel can be used to bi-directionallycommunicate data to and from the communication device 10.

Communication device 10 can be a mobile phone such as a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant, game console, game device,personal computer, laptop computer, or other device that performs one ormore functions that include communication of voice and/or data viawireline connection 28 and/or the wireless communication path. In anembodiment of the present invention, the real-time and non-real-timedevices 12, 14 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 can be personal computers, laptops,PDAs, mobile phones, such as cellular telephones, devices equipped withwireless local area network or Bluetooth transceivers, FM tuners, TVtuners, digital cameras, digital camcorders, or other devices thateither produce, process or use audio, video signals or other data orcommunications.

In operation, the communication device includes one or more applicationsthat include voice communications such as standard telephonyapplications, voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, localgaming, Internet gaming, email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging,web browsing, audio/video recording, audio/video playback, audio/videodownloading, playing of streaming audio/video, office applications suchas databases, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation creation andprocessing and other voice and data applications. In conjunction withthese applications, the real-time data 26 includes voice, audio, videoand multimedia applications including Internet gaming, etc. Thenon-real-time data 24 includes text messaging, email, web browsing, fileuploading and downloading, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 10includes an integrated circuit, such as an RF integrated circuit thatincludes one or more features or functions of the present invention.Such integrated circuits shall be described in greater detail inassociation with FIGS. 3-23 that follow.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 2 presents a communication system that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 1 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. Communication device 30 is similar to communication device 10and is capable of any of the applications, functions and featuresattributed to communication device 10, as discussed in conjunction withFIG. 1. However, communication device 30 includes two separate wirelesstransceivers for communicating, contemporaneously, via two or morewireless communication protocols with data device 32 and/or data basestation 34 via RF data 40 and voice base station 36 and/or voice device38 via RF voice signals 42.

FIG. 3 presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network 111 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wirelessnetwork 111 includes an access point 110 that is coupled to packetswitched backbone network 101. The access point 110 managescommunication flow over the wireless network 111 destined for andoriginating from each of communication devices 121, 123, 125 and 127.Via the access point 110, each of the communication devices 121, 123,125 and 127 can access service provider network 105 and Internet 103 to,for example, surf web-sites, download audio and/or video programming,send and receive messages such as text messages, voice message andmultimedia messages, access broadcast, stored or streaming audio, videoor other multimedia content, play games, send and receive telephonecalls, and perform any other activities, provided directly by accesspoint 110 or indirectly through packet switched backbone network 101.

One or more of the communication devices 121, 123, 125 and 127, such ascommunication device 125 is a mobile device that can include thefunctionality of communication devices 10 or 30. In particular,communication device 125 includes an RF integrated circuit (IC) havingan on-chip gyrating circuit that generates a motion parameter based onmotion of the device including a velocity, velocity vector, acceleration(including deceleration), indicating and/or other motion parameter. TheRF IC processes the motion parameter to produce motion data, generatesoutbound data that includes the motion data and/or a flag or other datathat indicates communication device 125 is a mobile device, generates anoutbound RF signal from outbound data and transmits the outbound RFsignal to a remote station, such as the access point 110.

In operation, access point 110 can change its own transmit and receivecharacteristics, based on the knowledge that communication device 125 ismobile, is in motion and/or based on information from a velocity vectoror other motion data that indicates that the communication device 125 ismoving into closer range, is moving out of range, is moving close to aknown source of interference, is moving into an obstructed path, etc.Examples of transmit and receive characteristics include: transmit powerlevels; antenna configurations such as multi-input multi-output (MIMO)configuration, beam patterns, polarization patterns, diversityconfigurations, etc. to adapt the orientation and/or position of thecommunication device; protocol parameters and other transmit and receivecharacteristics of the access point.

In addition, access point 110 can generate control data to transmit tothe communication device 127 or the communication devices 121, 123 and125, to modify the transmit and receive characteristics of thesedevices. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, accesspoint 110 can generate a request to receive periodic motion data fromthe communication device 127. Alternatively, communication device 127can generate and transmit motion data on a regular and/or periodic basisor in response to changes in motion data that compare unfavorably (suchas to exceed) a motion change threshold, such as to inform the accesspoint 100 when the communication device 127 starts, stops, changes speedand/or direction, etc.

For example, when communication device 127 indicates to access point 110that it is a mobile device, access point 110 can request thatcommunication device 127 send periodic motion data. If the access point110 determines that the communication device 127 is moving out of range,it can increase its power level, and steer its antenna beam in thedirection of the mobile device 127 and command the mobile device 127 tomodify one or more if its transmit and/or receive parameters, such as tocommand the communication device 127 to increase its power level, steerits antenna beam at the access point and/or to modify other protocolparameters to compensate for a possible lowering of signal to noiseratio, etc.

Also, communication device can respond to the motion data it generatesto control its transmit and receive characteristics, withoutintervention from the access point. For example, if the communicationdevice 127 determines it is moving out of range, it can increase itspower level, and steer its antenna beam in the direction of the accesspoint 110 and/or modify other protocol parameters to compensate for apossible lowering of signal to noise ratio, etc.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integratedcircuit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, an RFintegrated circuit (IC) 50 is shown that implements communication device10 in conjunction with microphone 60, keypad/keyboard 58, memory 54,speaker 62, display 56, camera 76, antenna interface 52 and wirelineport 64. In operation, RF IC 50 includes a transceiver 73 having RF andbaseband modules for formatting and modulating data into RF real-timedata 26 and non-real-time data 24 and transmitting this data via anantenna interface 52 and antenna such as fixed antenna a single-inputsingle-output (SISO) antenna, a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna,a diversity antenna system, an antenna array or other antennaconfiguration that allows the beam shape, gain, polarization or otherantenna parameters to be controlled. In addition, RF IC 50 includesinput/output module 71 that includes the appropriate interfaces,drivers, encoders and decoders for communicating via the wirelineconnection 28 via wireline port 64, an optional memory interface forcommunicating with off-chip memory 54, a codec for encoding voicesignals from microphone 60 into digital voice signals, a keypad/keyboardinterface for generating data from keypad/keyboard 58 in response to theactions of a user, a display driver for driving display 56, such as byrendering a color video signal, text, graphics, or other display data,and an audio driver such as an audio amplifier for driving speaker 62and one or more other interfaces, such as for interfacing with thecamera 76 or the other peripheral devices.

Power management circuit (PMU) 95 includes one or more DC-DC converters,voltage regulators, current regulators or other power supplies forsupplying the RF IC 50 and optionally the other components ofcommunication device 10 and/or its peripheral devices with supplyvoltages and or currents (collectively power supply signals) that may berequired to power these devices. Power management circuit 95 can operatefrom one or more batteries, line power, an inductive power received froma remote device, a piezoelectric source that generates power in responseto motion of the integrated circuit and/or from other power sources, notshown. In particular, power management module can selectively supplypower supply signals of different voltages, currents or current limitsor with adjustable voltages, currents or current limits in response topower mode signals received from the RF IC 50. While shown as anoff-chip module, PMU 95 can alternatively implemented as an on-chipcircuit.

In addition, RF IC 50 includes an on-chip gyrating circuit such ason-chip gyrator 175 that generates a motion parameter based on motion ofthe RF IC 50. In an embodiment of the present invention, the on-chipgyrator is implemented with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)technology to form a piezoelectric gyroscope, a vibrating wheelgyroscope, a tuning fork gyroscope, a hemispherical resonator gyroscope,or a rotating wheel gyroscope along one, two or three axes to indicatemotion in one, two or three dimensions. In particular, the on-chipgyrating circuit includes a gyroscope element that is formed via dryetching, wet etching, electro discharge machining and/or via other MEMSor non-MEMS technology.

In operation, the RF transceiver 73 generates an outbound RF signal fromoutbound data and generates inbound data from an inbound RF signal.Further, processing module 225 is coupled to the on-chip gyratingcircuit and the RF transceiver, and processes the motion parameter toproduce motion data, generates the outbound data that includes themotion data, and receives the inbound data that optionally includes datafrom an access point to modify transmit and/or receive parameters inresponse to the motion data that was transmitted.

As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3, the communication device,through command by the processing module 225 can respond to the motiondata it generates from on-chip gyrator 175 to control the transmit andreceive characteristics of transceiver 73, without intervention from theaccess point. For example, if the communication device 10 determines itis moving out of range, it can increase its power level, and steer itsantenna beam in the direction of the access point and/or modify otherprotocol parameters to compensate for a possible lowering of signal tonoise ratio, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the RF IC 50 is a system on achip integrated circuit that includes at least one processing device.Such a processing device, for instance, processing module 225, may be amicroprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. Theassociated memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memorydevices that are either on-chip or off-chip such as memory 54. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the RF IC 50 implements one or more of its functions via a statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry,the associated memory storing the corresponding operational instructionsfor this circuitry is embedded with the circuitry comprising the statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

In operation, the RF IC 50 executes operational instructions thatimplement one or more of the applications (real-time or non-real-time)attributed to communication devices 10, 30 and/or 127 as discussed aboveand in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 5 presents a communication device 30 that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 4 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. RF IC 70 is similar to RF IC 50 and is capable of any of theapplications, functions and features attributed to RF IC 50 as discussedin conjunction with FIG. 3. However, RF IC 70 includes two separatewireless transceivers for communicating, contemporaneously, via two ormore wireless communication protocols via RF data 40 and RF voicesignals 42.

In operation, the RF IC 70 executes operational instructions thatimplement one or more of the applications (real-time or non-real-time)attributed to communication devices 10, 30 and 127 as discussed aboveand in conjunction with FIG. 1-3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of RF transceiver125, such as transceiver 73, in accordance with the present invention.The RF transceiver 125 includes an RF transmitter 129, and an RFreceiver 127. The RF receiver 127 includes a RF front end 140, a downconversion module 142 and a receiver processing module 144. The RFtransmitter 129 includes a transmitter processing module 146, an upconversion module 148, and a radio transmitter front-end 150.

As shown, the receiver and transmitter are each coupled to an antennathrough an off-chip antenna interface 171 and a diplexer (duplexer) 177,that couples the transmit signal 155 to the antenna to produce outboundRF signal 170 and couples inbound signal 152 to produce received signal153. Alternatively, a transmit/receive switch can be used in place ofdiplexer 177. While a single antenna is represented, the receiver andtransmitter may share a multiple antenna structure that includes two ormore antennas. In another embodiment, the receiver and transmitter mayshare a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna structure,diversity antenna structure, phased array or other controllable antennastructure that includes a plurality of antennas. Each of these antennasmay be fixed, programmable, and antenna array or other antennaconfiguration. Also, the antenna structure of the wireless transceivermay depend on the particular standard(s) to which the wirelesstransceiver is compliant and the applications thereof.

In operation, the transmitter receives outbound realtime data 162 andoutbound non-realtime data 163 from a host device, such as communicationdevice 10 or other source via the transmitter processing module 146. Thetransmitter processing module 146 processes the outbound realtime data162 and outbound non-realtime data 163 in accordance with a particularwireless communication standard (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID,GSM, CDMA, et cetera) to produce baseband or low intermediate frequency(IF) transmit (TX) signals 164 that contain outbound realtime data 162and/or outbound non-realtime data 163. The baseband or low IF TX signals164 may be digital baseband signals (e.g., have a zero IF) or digitallow IF signals, where the low IF typically will be in a frequency rangeof one hundred kilohertz to a few megahertz. Note that the processingperformed by the transmitter processing module 146 can include, but isnot limited to, scrambling, encoding, puncturing, mapping, modulation,and/or digital baseband to IF conversion.

The up conversion module 148 includes a digital-to-analog conversion(DAC) module, a filtering and/or gain module, and a mixing section. TheDAC module converts the baseband or low IF TX signals 164 from thedigital domain to the analog domain. The filtering and/or gain modulefilters and/or adjusts the gain of the analog signals prior to providingit to the mixing section. The mixing section converts the analogbaseband or low IF signals into up-converted signals 166 based on atransmitter local oscillation 168.

The radio transmitter front end 150 includes a power amplifier and mayalso include a transmit filter module. The power amplifier amplifies theup-converted signals 166 to produce outbound RF signals 170, which maybe filtered by the transmitter filter module, if included. The antennastructure transmits the outbound RF signals 170 to a targeted devicesuch as a RF tag, base station, an access point and/or another wirelesscommunication device via an antenna interface 171 coupled to an antennathat provides impedance matching and optional bandpass filtration.

The receiver receives inbound RF signals 152 via the antenna andoff-chip antenna interface 171 that operates to process the inbound RFsignal 152 into received signal 153 for the receiver front-end 140. Ingeneral, antenna interface 171 provides impedance matching of antenna tothe RF front-end 140, optional bandpass filtration of the inbound RFsignal 152 and optionally controls the configuration of the antenna inresponse to one or more control signals 141 generated by processingmodule 225.

The down conversion module 70 includes a mixing section, an analog todigital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/orgain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal 154 intoa down converted signal 156 that is based on a receiver localoscillation 158, such as an analog baseband or low IF signal. The ADCmodule converts the analog baseband or low IF signal into a digitalbaseband or low IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module high passand/or low pass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to producea baseband or low IF signal 156. Note that the ordering of the ADCmodule and filtering and/or gain module may be switched, such that thefiltering and/or gain module is an analog module.

The receiver processing module 144 processes the baseband or low IFsignal 156 in accordance with a particular wireless communicationstandard (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, et cetera) toproduce inbound realtime data 160 and inbound non-realtime data 161. Theprocessing performed by the receiver processing module 144 includes, butis not limited to, digital intermediate frequency to basebandconversion, demodulation, demapping, depuncturing, decoding, and/ordescrambling.

Further, processing module 225 generates one or more control signals 141based either motion data generated from an on-chip gyrating circuit suchas on-chip gyrator 175 or from an off-chip gyrator or other gyrator, orbased on control data received in inbound data 160 from a remote stationsuch as access point 110. In operation, processing module 225 generatescontrol signals 141 to modify the transmit and/or receiver parameters ofthe RF transceiver 125 such as protocol parameters used by receiverprocessing module 144 and transmitter processing module 146, antennaconfigurations used by antenna interface 171 to set the beam pattern,gain, polarization or other antenna configuration of the antenna,transmit power levels used by radio transmitter front-end 150 andreceiver parameters used by RF front-end 140.

In addition, as previously described, processing module 225 generatesmotion data from one or more motion parameters 161 and optionallyincludes this motion data in outbound data 162 that is transmitted to aremote station such as access point 110.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. RF IC 330, such as RF IC 50 or 70, includes a gyrator die 314with a gyrating circuit such as on-chip gyrator 175 gyrator and an RFsystem on a chip (SoC) die 312 that includes the remaining elements ofRF IC 50 or 70, a substrate 306, and bonding pads 318. This figure isnot drawn to scale, rather it is meant to be a pictorial representationthat illustrates the juxtaposition of the RF SoC die 312, gyrator die314 and the substrate 306. RF SoC die 312 and gyrator die are coupled toone another and to respective ones of the bonding pads 318 using bondingwires, bonding pads and/or by other connections.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. RF IC 332 is similar to the configuration described inconjunction with FIG. 7 is presented with similar elements referred toby common reference numerals. In particular, alternate stackedconfiguration is shown that stacks gyrator die 314 on top of RF SoC die312. In this configuration, RF SoC die 312 and gyrator die can becoupled to one another using bonding wires, bonding pads, conductivevias and/or by other connections. This figure is also not drawn toscale.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. RF IC 334 is similar to the configuration described inconjunction with FIGS. 7 and 8 is presented with similar elementsreferred to by common reference numerals. In this particularconfiguration, on-chip gyrator 175 is included on RF SoC die 316 thatincludes the remaining components or RF IC 50 or 70. This figure is notdrawn to scale

FIG. 10 is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with the present invention. RF IC 325,such as RF IC 50 or 70, includes a system on a chip (SoC) die 300, amemory die 302 a substrate 306, bonding pads 308 and gyrator 304, suchas on-chip gyrating circuit 175. This figure is not drawn to scale. Inparticular, the RF IC 325 is integrated in a package with a top and abottom having a plurality of bonding pads 308 to connect the voice dataand RF IC 325 to a circuit board, and wherein the on-chip gyrator 304 isintegrated along the bottom of the package. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, die 302 includes an on-chip memory and die 300includes the processing module 225 and the remaining elements of RF IC50 or 70. These dies are stacked and die bonding is employed to connectthese two circuits and minimize the number of bonding pads, (balls) outto the package. Both SoC die 300 and memory die 302 are coupled torespective ones of the bonding pads 308 via bonding wires or otherconnections.

Gyrator 304 is coupled to the SoC die 300, and/or the memory die 302 viaconductive vias, bonding wires, bonding pads or by other connections.The positioning of the Gyrator on the bottom of the package in a flipchip configuration allows good heat dissipation of the gyrator 304 to acircuit board when the RF integrated circuit is installed.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a pictorial representation of an integratedcircuit package in accordance with the present invention. As shown, thebonding pads (balls) 308 are arrayed in an area of the bottom of theintegrated circuit with an open center portion 310 and wherein theon-chip gyrator 304 is integrated in the open center portion. While aparticular pattern and number of bonding pads 308 are shown, a greateror lesser number of bonding pads can likewise be employed withalternative configurations within the broad scope of the presentinvention.

While RF ICs 325, 330, 332 and 334 provide several possibleimplementations of RF ICs in accordance with the present invention,other circuits including other integrated circuit packages can beimplemented including other stacked, in-line and flip chipconfigurations.

FIG. 12 is a pictorial representation of communication device 10 or 30used in conjunction with a game console in accordance an embodiment ofwith the present invention. In particular, a multi-functioncommunication device 10 or 30 also serves to provide a game device for agame console such as game console 340. In operation, the user interfaceof the communication device 10 or 30 includes a touch screen, or one ormore buttons or other interface devices provide an input module thatreceive user inputs in conjunction with the operation of the game. Aspreviously discussed, communication device 10 or 30 includes RF IC 50 or70. The gyrating circuit is used to measure at least one motionparameter of the communication device. The RF transmitter wirelesslytransmits the at least one motion parameter to a remote device such asgame console 340. In addition, the processing module can process theuser inputs to produce input data that is also transmitted to the gameconsole and can optionally integrate one or more motion parameters withthe input data to generate a game response that is wirelesslytransmitted to the game console.

For instance, a button on the communication device can be used to set upa game such as a golf video game that is displayed on display device342. After a button on the communication device 10 or 30 is pressed bythe user to initiate a swing, a swinging motion of the communicationdevice 10 or 30 generates motion data that is used by the game consoleto generate swing data and a golf swing in the game. Similarly, thecommunication device 10 or 30 can be used in place of a joy stick, gameweapon, or other user interface for the game with motion of thecommunication device 10 or 30 correlating to the motion of a characteror object in the game.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 10or 30 further includes an actuator that generates a force or forcefeedback on the communication device 10 or 30 in response to an actuatorsignal included in inbound data received from the game console 340. Thisactuator can include a vibrator, motor, or other actuator that exerts aforce to the user of communication device 10 or 30 such as a tactileforce or other force. In addition, RF IC 50 or 70 is operable to extractthe actuator signal from the inbound data and further includes aninterface in input/output module 71 to provide the actuator signal tothe actuator to produce the desired force. For instance, an explosion inthe game can be used to trigger a vibration of the communication device10 or 30. In addition, the actuator signal can be coordinated withmotion of the video game device to simulate a game response to themotion. For instance, the point of the golf swing where the ball wouldbe impacted can be simulated by a force, such as a vibration or otherforce exerted on the user by the communication device. In an auto racinggame, if the user's car impacts a wall of the track in response to themotion of the communication device, the crash can be accompanied by avibration or other force, etc. exerted on communication device 10 or 30to enhance the user's gaming experience.

FIG. 13 is a pictorial representation of game device 355 used inconjunction with a game console in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. This embodiment operates in a similar fashion to thevarious embodiments described in conjunction with FIG. 12, however, adedicated device such as game device 355 is used. In this embodimentmany of the functions and features described in conjunction with RF IC50 or 70 are not necessary and game device 355 may be implemented withan RF IC having less than all of the functions, features and interfacesdescribed in conjunction with RF IC 50 or 70.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance an embodiment with the presentinvention. In particular game device 355 is shown that includes areduced functionality RF IC 90 having similar elements of RF IC 50 or 70that are referred to by common reference numerals and that can beimplemented in an IC package in a similar fashion. In addition, RF IC 90includes interfaces to actuator 48 that includes a vibrator, motor, orother actuator that exerts a force to the user of game device 355 suchas a tactile force or other force. Input module 58 includes the buttons,joystick, touch screen, wheel or other user input devices implemented aspart of the game device 355 to provide user inputs to the game.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are pictorial representations of sporting goods inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular,sporting goods such as a ball 360 and club 362 are shown that include anRF gyrator circuit 362 that can be used to generated motion data such asa position, velocity, acceleration or trajectory of the sporting good,either as part of a game or for diagnostic purposes to improve a user'splaying of a game. Ball 360 and club 362 are shown merely to illustratetwo of the many possible sporting goods including bats, paddles,racquets and other striking objects, swinging elements, balls and othergame objects that can incorporate the RF gyrator circuit 362 inaccordance with the broader scope of the present invention and transmitmotion data when struck, rolled, thrown or otherwise put in motion.

RF gyrator circuit operates similarly to circuits described inconjunction with RF ICs 50 and 70 to process and transmit motion data toa remote device such as a computer, scoring device or other device usedin conjunction with a game or for diagnostics of a user's performance ina particular act of motion associated with a game. For instance, thetrajectory of ball 360 such as a tennis ball can be used to determinethe velocity of various shots including serves and returns, the positionof the ball on the court, the trajectory of shots and optionally theposition relative to the court so that balls can be ruled in or out.Motion data corresponding to a golf shot, golf swing, basketball shot,baseball swing, home run, kick off, or other sports can be transmittedfor analysis remotely.

FIG. 17 is a pictorial representation of sporting good used inconjunction with an inductive charger in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. In particular, RF gyrator IC 362 includes ainductive power unit for receiving a charge from inductive charging unit376 to power the RF gyrator IC during operation. In this fashion, asporting good, such as ball 360 or other sporting good, can be chargedprior to its use until a charge indicator operating with feedback fromRF gyrator IC 362 indicates that the inductive power unit of RF gyratorIC 372 is fully charged. At this point the sporting good can be placedin use to wirelessly transmit motion data.

FIG. 18 is a pictorial representation of the display of a trajectory 372generated using a sporting good in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In particular a display device 370 such as a laptopcomputer is shown that includes an application such as a softwareprogram that wirelessly receives motion data to form and display atrajectory 372. In this fashion, a golf swing, tennis swing, bowlingshot, or other sports trajectory can be displayed and analyzed by theuser and used to improve his or her game. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, trajectories can be saved and compared, usertrajectories can be compared to ideal trajectories or to trajectories ofothers. Trajectory parameters such as swing velocity, distance, heightor other parameters can be extracted and analyzed to compare the user toothers or to improve the user's game.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance an embodiment with the presentinvention. In particular RF gyrator IC 62 includes a RF IC 95 thatincludes common elements from RF IC 50 or 70 that are referred to bycommon reference numerals. In addition, RF gyrator IC includes anin-device power source such as the inductive power unit discussed inconjunction with FIGS. 15-17, a piezoelectric power unit that operatesbased on motion of the sporting good, or operated using a long-lifebattery, battery or other source of power that can power the device forits intended operation. In this application PMU 95 can operate toconserve power for longer time between charging, or to otherwise extentthe power life of the device.

While a particular circuit is shown with certain elements being includedas part of RF IC 95 and other discrete components being coupled thereto,other boundaries between integrated and discrete components can likewisebe employed in the present invention, with preferably most or all of thecomponents of RF gyrator circuit 362 being included on a singleintegrated circuit.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-19. In step 400, a motion parameter isgenerated based on motion of the device using an on-chip gyratingcircuit. In step 402, the motion parameter is processed to producemotion data. In step 404, outbound data is generated that includes themotion data. In step 406, an outbound RF signal is generated fromoutbound data. In step 408, the outbound RF signal is transmitted to aremote station.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the motion data includes anindication that a device is a mobile device, a velocity, a velocityvector and/or an acceleration. Step 404 can insert motion data in theoutbound data periodically.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular a method is presented for use inconjunction with the method of FIG. 20. In addition, step 500 isincluded for comparing current motion data to past motion data. In step502, the method detects when the difference between the current motiondata and past the motion data compares unfavorably to a motion changethreshold. If so, step 404 includes motion data in the outbound data.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention; and In particular a method is presented for usein conjunction with the method of FIG. 20. In addition, step 510 isincluded for generating inbound data from an inbound RF signal receivedfrom the remote station. Further, step 404 includes motion data in theoutbound data in response to a request for the motion data included inthe inbound data.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular a method is presented for use inconjunction with the method of FIG. 20-22. In addition, step 520 isincluded for generating inbound data from an inbound RF signal receivedfrom remote station, wherein the inbound data includes control data thatis determined by the access point based on the motion data. In addition,the method includes step 522 for modifying a transmit parameter and/orreceive parameter of an RF transceiver in response to the control data.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, theintervening item does not modify the information of a signal but mayadjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As mayfurther be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element iscoupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirectcoupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As mayeven further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that anitem includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s),etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may furtherinclude inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may stillfurther be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes directand/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “comparesfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

1. A communication device comprising: an on-chip gyrating circuit thatgenerates a motion parameter based on motion of the communicationdevice; an RF transceiver that generates an outbound RF signal from anoutbound symbol stream, that transmits the outbound RF signal to aremote station of a wireless network, and that generates an inboundsymbol stream from an inbound RF signal received from the remotestation; and a processing module coupled to process the motion parameterto produce motion data, to convert outbound data into the outboundsymbol stream, to convert the inbound symbol stream into inbound data,to compare current motion data to past motion data, to detect when adifference between the current motion data and the past motion datacompares unfavorably to a motion change threshold, and to include themotion data in the outbound data when the difference between the currentmotion data and the past motion data compares unfavorably to the motionchange threshold.
 2. The communication device of claim 1 wherein themotion data includes one of, a velocity and an acceleration.
 3. Thecommunication device of claim 1 wherein the motion data includes avelocity vector.
 4. The communication device of claim 1 wherein theprocessing module includes motion data in the outbound dataperiodically.
 5. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the motiondata further includes an indication that the communication device is amobile device.
 6. The communication device of claim 1 wherein theon-chip gyrating circuit is implemented with microelectromechanicalsystems (MEMS) technology.
 7. The communication device of claim 1wherein the on-chip gyrating circuit includes one of: a piezoelectricgyroscope; a vibrating wheel gyroscope; a tuning fork gyroscope; ahemispherical resonator gyroscope; and a rotating wheel gyroscope. 8.The communication device of claim 1 wherein the on-chip gyrating circuitis integrated in an integrated circuit that includes at least one of,the RF transceiver, the memory module and the processing module.
 9. Thecommunication device of claim 1 wherein remote station is a game consolehaving at least one game and the communication device provides themotion data as a portion of a user interface for the at least one game.10. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the remote station is anaccess point and the inbound data includes control data that isdetermined by the access point based on the motion data.
 11. Thecommunication device of claim 10 wherein the communication devicemodifies a transmit parameter of the RF transceiver in response to thecontrol data.
 12. The communication device of claim 10 wherein thecommunication device modifies a receive parameter of the RF transceiverin response to the control data.
 13. A method for use in a device, themethod comprising: generating a motion parameter based on motion of thedevice using an on-chip gyrating circuit; generating inbound data froman inbound RF signal received from the remote station; processing themotion parameter to produce the motion data, detecting when a differencebetween current motion data and past motion data compares unfavorably toa motion change threshold; generating outbound data that includes themotion data when the difference between the current motion data and thepast motion data compares unfavorably to the motion change threshold;generating an outbound RF signal from outbound data; and transmittingthe outbound RF signal to the remote station.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein the motion data includes an indication that the device is amobile device.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the device is acommunication device and the station is an access point, the methodfurther comprising: generating inbound data from an inbound RF signalreceived from remote station, wherein the inbound data includes controldata that is determined by the access point based on the motion data,and wherein the method further comprises at least one of: modifying atransmit parameter of an RF transceiver in response to the control data;and modifying a receive parameter of the RF transceiver in response tothe control data.